Music: La Coponna dello Zio Tom

"This is a story about good and bad niggers," said the English
translation of the program notes supplied for tourists. It was a story
about Zio Tom, Signor Legree and Piccola Eva. a story about slavery in
harsh old Kentucky. The premiere production of Luigi Ferrari Tre-cate's
Zio Tom (Uncle Tom) at the Rome Opera House celebrated the centenary of
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, but Rome found it a masterpiece of
contemporary social realism. "Poveri negri!" (Poor Negroes),
enthusiasts shouted from the balconies, and next morning the Rome press
chimed in. "A great opera and a great story," said II Messaggero....